The leader in the pack must at all times try to beyond reproach. The Otters will look up to you to show the way and will mimic what you do.
Simple speech, clearly expressed, should be the order of the day. Listen to
the things that children say, not only to you but amongst themselves. Encourage
them to discuss things and not just to accept things blindly. We should be
prepared to tell them why a certain thing has to be done so that they may more fully
understand and learn.
As your mood will be reflected in them, a relaxed, friendly
atmosphere with lots of activity for healthy exercise, coupled with love and sympathy
and understanding should be aimed for.
Handicraft sessions provide a creative outlet and some Otters will be more at
home with some types of handicraft than others. Try to provide the special type for the
youngster rather than just provide a general 'all of you will do this tonight' type of
session.
Obviously you will have to find out what special handicraft suits the child
so the full range will have to be tested first.
Story time is an essential part of the Pack Meetings as it provides an
opportunity for relaxation between boisterous periods.
Leader Responsibility
The person chosen to lead an Otter Pack, must of course, be a person of good
character, as with all Scouters. As they are in the limelight and open to criticism they
should be above reproach and be seen to be living up to the image that Scouting
projects world-wide. This also applies to those assisting in the Pack in whatever position.
The Association will be judged by the worst one of us, unfortunately, and we must
endeavor at all times to do our best. When in public, always consider that
you are being watched, because you are!
A friendly disposition is necessary and this rubs off on the youngsters in
the Pack. We must be able to be "one of the gang" and at the same time make the
youngsters understand that we, as Scouters, although brothers and sisters in Scouting,
are there to know better than they do and therefore to be obeyed.
As relationships build up between Scouters and the Otters it will become
apparent that the Otters place a lot of faith in 'Ahmeek' or whoever and this faith should
never be shattered. All their problems will end at the Scouters feet and, although to
us they will be at times trifling, to the Otters they will be problems of great magnitude.
We must ensure that we are absolutely fair in resolving their little problems and
youngsters who seem to stand out as 'Loners" should be put at ease and integrated into
a 'team', which is what a Den should be.
Scouters will find that, as time goes by, they will gain experience and will
be able to use that experience in efficiently administering the Pack. Intimate knowledge of
a youngster's home environment, likes and dislikes, physical infirmity and
standard of education is necessary, to enable a fuller understanding of that youngsters
attitudes and to enable him/her to take a more active part in Pack activities.
A good
relationship with the parents is a must as we need the co-operation of the parents and their
support in our activities. With the Otter Section a lot more interest is shown by parents
and when the youngsters are brought to meetings or activities the parents should be able
to see that we care about their children and at this stage contact can be made, sometimes to
good advantage, by getting the parents involved.
As time passes we find that more and more children are from broken homes or
single parent families. No stigma should be attached to an Otter as he/she is not to
blame for what has gone before. All Otters should be treated as to their individual
requirements without fear or favor, for once the youngster thinks that someone else is
being favored their respect for the Scouter concerned is lost. Contact with your local
Pastor or Minister will probably result in information being available to assist in
understanding a particular child and can only be an advantage.
Not all parents are interested in the activities of their children and an
effort should be made to form a friendly relationship with all parents and to promote an
interest in those parents who are not keen.
Ahmeek must make full use of all assistance available to him/her as not to do
so will result in the offer of that assistance sometimes being withdrawn. There is
nothing worse for a keen person than to be left standing like an ornament during
activities. All Otter Section Scouters and instructors are a team and all their various skills
should be fully utilized. Use may also be made of Scouters from other Sections of the Group.
This not only makes available a fuller range of skills but shows to the Otter that
he/she is part of a bigger family than just the Pack.
Where Pack Scouters have a problem remember the old adage "A problem
shared is a problem halved" and the Group Scouter should be in a position to give
good advice. We are not perfect in ourselves but between us we should be in a position to
resolve most problems. Remember another old adage that says "Nothing is a problem
until you make one!
Leader Training
As with training for other Sections this consists of a Part One Training
Course which will last for one weekend or several evening sessions. At the end of the
course a certificate will be issued and a two-strand Turk's Head Woggle will be
presented.
Following this 12 months later will be Part Two Training, which will consist
of several weekends, normally a month apart, in which the practical skills of Scouting
will be presented.
Part Three will consist of a probationary period of 6 months, after which a
report will be submitted by the Group Scouter, on the suitability of the candidate in
putting into practice what has been learned during the Wood Beads Badge Training.
When a recommendation as to suitability has been received by the trainers, a
further certificate will be issued, together with the Wood Beads Badge proper and the
Wood Beads Neckerchief.
Whilst the above is not at this time compulsory, it is hoped that all
Scouters will want to become as proficient as possible and will take that training. We can all
benefit from an exchange of ideas, which is inevitably a product of such training.
Otter Leaders' Handbook
